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A walk down the side of the Titan II.

Picture 4 of 9.

This picture includes the aft end of the second stage plus its interstage structure (the black and white painted area). Note the missing panels at the aft end of the interstage; these are blast ports. The second stage ignites via a "fire in the hole" process, igniting while still attached to the first stage. These blast ports allow exhaust gases to escape prior to staging.